CN115315363A

CN115315363A - Main coupling device, sub-coupling device, fifth wheel coupling device and automatic coupling system

Info

Publication number: CN115315363A
Application number: CN202180023326.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马里奥·塞巴斯蒂安·科斯特; 兰迪·库布勒
Original assignee: SAF Holland GmbH
Current assignee: SAF Holland GmbH
Priority date: 2020-03-24
Filing date: 2021-03-17
Publication date: 2022-11-08
Also published as: EP4126570B1; EP4126570A1; WO2021191008A1; DE102020108004B4; US20230211837A1; DE102020108004A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a main coupling (1) of a fifth wheel coupling (3) or of a trailer, in particular of a semi-trailer, wherein the main coupling (1) comprises a main body (10), a drive (12), a coupling mechanism (24), a cover device (20) and a plug element (14), wherein the main body (10) is designed to be fixed to the fifth wheel coupling (3) and/or to the trailer, the plug element (14) has energy-conducting contacts which point in particular in an insertion direction (V), the drive (12) is mechanically connected to the cover device (20) by means of the coupling mechanism (24), the cover device (20) has at least one cover element (22), the cover element (22) is movable by means of the drive (12) between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position of the cover element (22) the plug element (14) is exposed, and wherein in the second position of the cover element (22) the plug element (14) is covered.

Description

Main coupling device, sub-coupling device, fifth wheel coupling device and automatic coupling system

Technical Field

The invention relates to a primary coupling device, in particular for an automatic coupling system, of a commercial vehicle, a secondary coupling device, in particular for an automatic coupling system, of a commercial vehicle, a fifth wheel coupling device and an automatic coupling system of a commercial vehicle.

Background

Automatic coupling systems are known in the art and are used to achieve energy flow between a tractor and a semi-trailer or trailer. These automatic coupling systems typically have a plug on the tractor side and a receptacle on the trailer side. In some cases, the plug and receptacle also have a removable cover element to prevent engagement with the plug or receptacle prior to coupling and to protect them from the environment. Since (during the coupling operation) the tractor approaches the trailer, the socket and the plug are aligned with each other, the movable cover element is moved, and the plug and the socket are connected to each other, so that energy, in particular electrical current, can flow from the tractor to the trailer. However, this process of automatically coupling the socket and the plug due to the tractor approaching the trailer is relatively prone to failure due to the high contact forces between the plug and the socket, and often results in damage, particularly to the cover element of the plug.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to reduce contact forces during a coupling operation while protecting the plug connector from contamination.

This object is achieved by a primary coupling device according to claim 1, a secondary coupling device according to claim 7, a fifth wheel coupling device according to claim 8 and an automatic coupling system according to claim 9.

The invention relates to a fifth wheel coupling or a trailer, in particular a semi-trailer, main coupling, wherein the main coupling comprises a body, a drive, a coupling mechanism, a cover device and a plug element, wherein the body is designed to be fixed to the fifth wheel coupling and/or the trailer, wherein the plug element has an energy-conducting contact which points in particular in the insertion direction, wherein the drive is mechanically connected to the cover device by means of the coupling mechanism, wherein the cover device has at least one cover element, wherein the cover element can be moved by the drive between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position of the cover element the plug element is exposed, and wherein in the second position of the cover element the plug element is covered. The main coupling device is in particular a main coupling device for a commercial vehicle. Commercial vehicles in the sense of the present invention are in particular road vehicles which allow a total weight of at least 3.51 tonnes, preferably at least 7.51 tonnes, particularly preferably at least 15.01 tonnes. In other words, the main coupling means may be part of an automatic coupling system for automatically connecting the trailer vehicle with the tractor vehicle in terms of energy and/or information. The main coupling means according to the invention may be part of an automatic coupling system arranged on the fifth wheel coupling or the main coupling means may form part of an automatic coupling system arranged/mounted on the trailer, in particular such that it can pivot about the kingpin of the trailer. The main coupling device according to the invention comprises a body, a driver, a coupling mechanism, a covering device and a plug element. The body is designed to be fixed to a fifth wheel coupling or to a trailer. For example, the body can be reversibly fixed, in particular by means of bolts, thus making it possible to replace it in a simple manner. For example, if the body is fixed to the fifth wheel coupling, the body may be arranged on the fifth wheel plate. Preferably, the main body is arranged below the insertion opening of the fifth wheel plate. The insertion opening of the fifth wheel plate is an opening into which the main pin to be coupled or engaged is inserted when the main pin is moved from the uncoupled position to the coupled position. The insertion opening extends in particular in the insertion direction. This direction of insertion is in particular the direction in which the kingpin moves relative to the fifth wheel plate during the kingpin engagement. For example, the insertion opening is an opening of the fifth wheel plate, into which the kingpin is inserted to couple the kingpin. Advantageously, the insertion opening is defined/formed by the space between the coupling corners of the fifth wheel plate. In this case, the insertion direction is expediently at least substantially parallel to the insertion direction, in order to achieve a particularly compact and operationally reliable main coupling. "substantially parallel" is to be understood here as meaning that the smallest angle between two substantially parallel directions is at most 10 °, preferably at most 5 °, particularly preferably at most 1 °. However, it is particularly highly preferred that the substantially parallel directions are completely parallel. In particular, the main body of the main coupling device can be constructed as a sheet metal part, since this can save production costs. In addition to the main body, the main coupling device also has a plug element. The plug element is intended to be connectable and/or connected to a correspondingly designed element, in particular to a plug connector of a secondary coupling device, so that electrical signals and/or information and/or energy can be transmitted between the plug element and the correspondingly designed element. In other words, this may mean that the plug element may form an automatic coupling system with, for example, a plug connector of the secondary coupling device, so that in particular electrical signals and/or energy and/or information may be transmitted between the tractor and the trailer. For the transmission of information and/or energy, the plug element has in particular hydraulic and/or pneumatic and/or electrical energy-conducting contacts, wherein these energy-conducting contacts are in particular designed to be connectable and/or connected to corresponding contacts of a plug connector of the secondary coupling device. Advantageously, the energy-conducting contacts of the plug element extend in the plug-in direction. Advantageously, the plug-in direction is the direction in which (theoretically) the plug element has to be moved relative to the plug connector to achieve a plug-in connection. In order to protect the energy-conducting contacts from environmental influences, the main coupling device has a cover device with at least one cover element. In this case, the covering element can be a flap or a drop mechanism or a folding mechanism or a layered covering unit, in other words the covering element can be of one-piece design or of multiple-piece design. The cover element of the cover device can be moved by the drive between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position of the cover element the plug element is exposed. In other words, this may mean that the plug connector can be inserted into the plug element in the first position, or that a plug-in connection can be made between the plug element and the plug connector of the secondary coupling device. In the second position, the cover element is positioned such that the plug element is covered. In other words, this may mean that in the second position the cover element is positioned such that the plug connector of the secondary coupling device cannot be connected to the plug element by inserting it into the plug element. In order to move the covering element of the covering device from the first position into the second position and/or from the second position into the first position, the main coupling device has a drive and a coupling mechanism. In this case, the drive can be, for example, a linear drive, a hydraulic drive or a pneumatic drive, in particular a pneumatic cylinder. Alternatively, the drive can also be an electric motor. The driver is mechanically connected to the covering device by a coupling mechanism, so that mechanical energy can be transferred from the driver to the covering device through the coupling mechanism. In this case, by means of the mechanical energy, the covering element of the covering device is or can be moved from the first position to the second position and/or from the second position to the first position. For example, when the drive is designed as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, the coupling mechanism may be a piston rod and/or a piston rod extension. In particular, the coupling mechanism may have a one-piece design or a multi-piece design. The one-piece design of the coupling means, in particular in the form of a piston rod, results in a device which is particularly capable of withstanding mechanical loads. In the case of a multi-piece design of the coupling mechanism, a certain compensation and a certain damping effect can be achieved, so that the device can compensate for certain tolerances and/or can provide a high degree of damping. The configuration of the primary coupling device according to the invention ensures that the movement of the cover element (by the driver) significantly reduces the contact force during coupling. In particular, damage to the main coupling device, in particular to the covering device, can thus be prevented.

Conveniently, the main coupling means is configured such that the cover element can be moved indirectly by the drive. In particular, the driver is configured such that it moves the plug element during actuation and the plug element moves or displaces the covering device. In other words, the main coupling device can therefore be configured such that the drive does not move the cover element directly, but only indirectly, in particular by means of the plug element. In particular, a separate drive for the plug element can thus be dispensed with, so that a low-cost and space-saving and also lightweight main coupling device is achieved.

Advantageously, the drive has an energy connection. Such an energy connection can be, for example, an electrical connection, an oil connection and/or a pneumatic connection. The drive can be selectively actuated by providing an energy connection in order to achieve a movement of the cover element from the first position into the second position or vice versa and/or in order to move the plug element relative to the body, in particular in the plug-in direction. Furthermore, this avoids the need for the drive to have its own heavy energy storage means, which can save installation space and weight.

Preferably, the drive is a pneumatic, electric or hydraulic drive. By designing the drive as a hydraulic drive it can be ensured that even large forces can be exerted. When the drive is configured as a pneumatic drive, it can be ensured that no environmental contamination can occur, in particular in the event of a leak. Furthermore, the design of the drive as a pneumatic drive also has the advantage that existing (supply) systems, in particular of commercial vehicles (tractors or trailers), can be used for operating the drive. The provision of a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator has the further advantage that, due to the compressibility of the working medium, the actuator can be given a certain spring rate, so that overloading of the actuator and/or the body and/or the plug element can be prevented by the spring rate of the working medium. The use of an electric drive also enables the use of a source of energy (e.g. a battery) from the trailer or tractor to effect operation of the drive. A particularly low-cost system results, since the power supply of the drive can be adapted and/or configured particularly simply.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuator is a compressed air cylinder. The design as a compressed air cylinder makes the main coupling particularly space-saving and, in addition, it is also less prone to leakage in terms of environmental pollution. Furthermore, the use of a compressed air cylinder enables particularly rapid movement from the first position to the second position and the drive, for example the compressor and/or the compressed air tank of a tractor or trailer, can be operated or supplied using existing systems.

Advantageously, the main coupling device has a second drive. For example, the use of a second drive enables a redundant system to be provided, so that a reliable movement of the covering element from the first position to the second position can be continued even in the event of a drive failure.

Preferably, the plug element comprises hydraulic and/or pneumatic and/or electric energy-conducting contacts, wherein the energy-conducting contacts are designed to be connectable and/or connected to corresponding contacts of a plug connector of the secondary coupling device, wherein the energy-conducting contacts preferably extend in the plug-in direction. Thus, in other words, the plug element comprises hydraulic and/or pneumatic and/or electric contacts which can interact and/or connect with corresponding contacts of the plug connector of the secondary coupling device to enable energy and/or information to be transferred from the plug element to the plug connector and thus from the trailer to the tractor or from the tractor to the trailer in a subsequent mounting position in the form of electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic energy. In other words, the secondary coupling means and its plug connector thus form an automatic plug-in connection system of an automatic coupling system with the primary coupling means, wherein the primary coupling means are arranged on the trailer or tractor, and the secondary coupling means are arranged on the tractor or trailer, respectively.

Advantageously, the plug element can be moved relative to the body, in particular in the plug-in direction, by the drive. The possibility of moving the plug element relative to the body by means of the driver ensures that the actual insertion or coupling of the plug element to the plug connector of the secondary coupling device can be carried out independently of the actual coupling process of the trailer to the tractor, and requires only little installation space.

Advantageously, the coupling mechanism can be moved in the insertion direction by means of a drive. Thus, a particularly easy and compact driving of the covering device can be achieved. This can be achieved, for example, by designing the drive as a cylinder (in particular a double-acting cylinder) and the coupling mechanism as a part of the cylinder piston rod or a piston rod extension. In this case, in particular, the coupling mechanism may mechanically connect the drive to the moving means of the covering means. In this context, "mechanically connected" is to be understood in particular to mean that mechanical energy is transmitted from the drive to the covering device via the coupling mechanism.

Conveniently, the main coupling means are designed such that the covering element in the first position is at least partially displaced in a vertical direction with respect to the position of the covering element in the second position, the vertical direction being substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction. Here, "at least partially moved in a vertical direction" is to be understood as meaning that the covering element has to be moved at least partially in a vertical direction from a first position relative to a second position. In particular, the center of gravity of the covering element plays a decisive role in this respect. For example, such a movement of the cover element in the vertical direction from the first position to the second position can be achieved by a rotation of the cover element and/or a translational movement of the cover element, wherein the center of gravity of the cover element in the first position must have at least one displacement component relative to the second position, which has a certain proportion in the vertical direction. Thus, in particular, when the cover element is moved only in the insertion direction, there is no movement of the cover element "at least partially in the vertical direction". In particular, the vertical direction is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction. By "substantially perpendicular" is understood here that the smaller angle of the perpendicular direction to the insertion direction is between 80 ° and 90 °, preferably between 85 ° and 90 °, and particularly preferably between 88 ° and 90 °. By means of the movability of the covering element from the first position relative to the second position (at least partially in the vertical direction), a particularly compact main coupling in the plug-in direction can be achieved.

Advantageously, the covering device has a plurality of covering elements, in particular two covering elements. In other words, this may mean that the covering device has not only one covering element but also a plurality of covering elements. In this case, the cover element can be designed in particular as a flap, a laminate or other closure. By providing a plurality of covering elements, the travel path of the individual covering elements can be reduced, thereby enabling the covering elements to be transferred particularly quickly from their respective first position to their respective second position. Advantageously, the plurality of cover elements are designed such that in the first state they are not in contact with each other, and in the second state they are in contact with each other. In particular, this may be achieved, for example, by the cover elements moving towards each other during the transfer from the first position to the second position. When two cover elements are used, it is particularly space-saving if the cover elements are arranged in the following manner: the center of gravity of the first cover member moves in a positive vertical direction from the first state to the second state, and the center of gravity of the second cover member moves in a negative vertical direction from the first state to the second state. A particularly compact and simple construction of the cover element is obtained if the first cover element and the second cover element together form a jaw mechanism. In particular, such a jaw mechanism is characterized in that the covering elements provided in this case can be pivoted relative to one another, in particular about a common pivot axis, and can be opened and closed in a jaw-like manner (like the upper and lower jaws).

It is expedient for the cover device (in particular the cover element or the cover elements) to have a seal, in particular a sealing lip. By providing a seal or a sealing lip, particularly good protection against environmental influences such as rain or storms and against water jets of the high-pressure cleaner can be achieved. In this case, the seal is particularly arranged on the covering element such that in the first position the seal is in contact only with the covering element, while in the second position the seal is in contact with another element, in particular with another part of the covering device. In other words, this may mean that the seal is particularly arranged such that it is non-contacting in the exposed position and is contacting in the covered position.

Advantageously, the covering device has a displacement device, in particular a spreading device or a scissor joint. In this context, a "displacement device" is a device by means of which, in particular, the mechanical energy transmitted by the coupling mechanism is transmitted from the drive to the covering device. For example, the moving means may be an expanding means such as a linear guide or a slotted guide or a scissor joint. In particular, a scissor joint features two different legs which are supported at a common point in a manner (like a scissor) that can be rotated relative to each other.

In an advantageous embodiment, the displacement device (in particular the scissor joint) is indirectly and/or directly connected to or in contact with the coupling mechanism. The mediated and/or direct or indirect connection of the coupling mechanism to the moving device (in particular to the scissor joint) results in a particularly compact opening or transfer mechanism of the cover element from the first position to the second position. In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the displacement device (in particular the scissor joint) forms a stop for the coupling mechanism. In other words, the maximum mobility of the coupling mechanism may be limited by the moving device. The maximum travel path of the coupling mechanism can thus be limited in a particularly compact manner.

Conveniently, at least one covering element, preferably all covering elements, of the covering device are mounted such that it/they can rotate about a rotation axis, which rotation axis is advantageously substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction and/or the vertical direction. In other words, this may mean that the at least one cover element is mounted such that it can rotate about the axis of rotation. In this case, the cover element can be designed, for example, as a flap which can be rotated about the axis of rotation. In order to transmit movement or mechanical energy from the drive to the cover element and to achieve a rotatable movement of the cover element, the coupling mechanism and the movement device serve in particular to transmit mechanical energy from the drive to the cover element. Advantageously, the axis of rotation is at least substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction and/or the vertical direction. A particularly compact construction of the main coupling device can thus be achieved.

Advantageously, the plug element is mounted so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis, which in particular corresponds to the rotation axis. By means of the ability of the plug element to rotate about the axis of rotation, a particularly effective possibility can be provided, which enables specific positional tolerances or offsets, in particular with respect to the secondary coupling means, to be compensated. Thus, forces occurring during the coupling process of the primary coupling means relative to the secondary coupling means may be reduced and/or damage may be avoided or at least reduced. In this case, the plug element is advantageously pretensioned in the central position using a centered pretensioning device (e.g. a spring). In other words, this may mean that the plug element is held in a central position by the pretensioning means which produces a centering effect, although the plug element is mounted so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation. If the rotation axis and the swivel axis coincide, the plug element and the cover device can be mounted in a particularly space-saving manner, since the rotation axis and the swivel axis can serve as a common swivel mounting axis for the plug element itself and the cover element relative to the plug element.

Advantageously, at least one of the covering elements, preferably all of the covering elements, is pretensioned into the first and/or second position by a pretensioning device, in particular a pretensioning band and/or a spring element. This achieves the advantage that at least one covering element, preferably all covering elements, is in a defined state even if the drive fails. For example, the covering elements can be pretensioned against one another by pretensioning means. In other words, this may mean that in the case of a plurality of covering elements, the pretensioning means pretensions the covering elements with respect to one another. This can be achieved, for example, by the two cover elements being mechanically connected to one another by means of a tension band or spring. It is particularly advantageous if the covering element or the covering elements are pretensioned into the second position by a pretensioning device. It can thus be ensured in particular that in the event of a failure of the drive the energy-conducting contacts of the plug element continue to be protected from environmental influences. Alternatively, it is also possible to pretension the cover element into the first position. In other words, this may mean that the pretensioning device is designed or arranged such that the mechanical energy stored in the pretensioning device tends to transfer the cover element to the first position. This makes it possible in particular to save energy, since it allows the drive to be switched off in the first position when the primary coupling means are coupled to the secondary coupling means

It is expedient for the main coupling means, in particular the plug element, to have an actuator and/or a guide pin which projects beyond at least one covering element, preferably beyond all covering elements, in the insertion direction both in the first position and in the second position. In this context, the projection of the actuator and the guide pin may be understood in particular to mean that the actuator and/or the guide pin projects beyond the covering element in the insertion direction, in particular away from the covering element. This ensures that the actuator and/or the guide pin can permanently interact with the other element irrespective of the position of the cover element in the first or second position. For example, the guide pin is designed to be able to engage into the guide recess in order to perform in this way an alignment of the primary coupling means relative to the secondary coupling means. On the other hand, an actuator is an element for moving a covering element of a secondary coupling device from a covering position to an open or open position, in particular by interaction of the actuator with an actuating member of the secondary coupling device.

Advantageously, the plug element is mounted such that it can be moved in translation, in particular a maximum of +/-0.5mm, in translation relative to the coupling mechanism or a part of the coupling mechanism in three mutually perpendicular axes and/or wherein the plug element is mounted such that it can be moved in rotation relative to the coupling mechanism in three mutually perpendicular axes. In other words, this may mean that the plug element is mounted relative to the coupling mechanism or a part of the coupling mechanism such that the plug element can move a maximum of +/-0.5mm relative to at least a part of the coupling mechanism. By means of this relative movability, a certain compensation can be achieved between the plug element and the coupling mechanism. In other words, the plug element can therefore be moved relative to the coupling mechanism in three mutually perpendicular spatial directions. In this case, a decisive part of the coupling mechanism is in particular a part of the coupling mechanism which is directly connected to the drive. For example, in embodiments where the coupling mechanism comprises a piston rod extension, the decisive component of the coupling mechanism is the piston rod. Alternatively or additionally, the plug element can also be mounted such that it can be moved rotationally relative to the coupling mechanism on three mutually perpendicular axes. In other words, the plug element can be moved not only in translation but also in rotation in three spatial directions relative to the decisive part of the coupling mechanism. Hereby, a particularly high degree of adaptability of the plug element is achieved, so that it can compensate for certain differences in height and/or rotational direction when the plug element is coupled to the plug connector of the secondary coupling device. It is thus also possible in particular to ensure that the main body of the main coupling device can be mounted in a fixed manner, so that the main coupling device can be mounted securely on, for example, a fifth wheel or a trailer.

Another aspect of the invention may relate to a secondary coupling device, wherein the secondary coupling device has a support arm, a plug connector and a cover element, wherein the cover element is designed to cover the plug connector in a cover position and to expose the plug connector in an exposed position or an open position. The secondary coupling means thus form a counterpart of the primary coupling means. The secondary coupling device is therefore intended to be arranged on a commercial vehicle which is to be coupled to a commercial vehicle having a primary coupling device. In other words, this may mean that the primary coupling means may be arranged on the tractor or the trailer, and the secondary coupling means may be arranged on the trailer or tractor, respectively. The secondary coupling device has a support arm for fastening to the commercial vehicle. The secondary coupling device also has a plug connector and a cover element. In particular, the plug connector has energy-conducting contacts which can be brought into energy-conducting engagement with corresponding energy-conducting contacts of the plug element of the main coupling device. The cover element of the secondary coupling device serves to cover the plug connector in a cover position, so that a plug-in connection between the plug connector and the plug element of the primary coupling device is not possible, and wherein the cover element can be moved into an exposed position, so that the plug connector is exposed in such a way that a plug-in connection between the plug element and the plug connector is possible. In other words, this may mean that the plug element covers or exposes the plug connector, so that a plug-in connection is not possible or is possible. In particular, this covering is carried out over the extension area and advantageously such that all energy conducting contacts of the plug connector are covered by the covering element in their extension direction in the covering position and are exposed in an externally visible manner in the exposed or open position, in particular in the extension direction of the energy conducting contacts. In other words, this may mean that the energy-conducting contacts of the plug connector are not visible with the covering element in the covering position and are visible in the exposed position. It can thus be ensured that the secondary coupling means and its energy-conducting contacts are reliably protected from the external environment.

In an advantageous embodiment of the secondary coupling device, the cover element and/or the plug connector are rotatably mounted relative to the support arm, in particular about a transverse direction, wherein advantageously the transverse direction in the coupled state is substantially parallel to the rotational axis and/or the transverse axis. The transverse direction is in particular the direction that measures the width dimension of the vehicle on which the secondary coupling is mounted. Due to the rotational mounting of the plug connector relative to the support arm, it can be ensured that a certain compensating movement is also possible on a part of the secondary coupling means. For this purpose, this has (compensated) rotatability, e.g. the possibility of rotating at least around the transverse direction. It is particularly preferred that the transverse direction is parallel or at least substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and/or the axis of rotation. The decisive state for evaluating the substantial parallelism of the transverse direction to the axis of rotation or the axis of rotation is the coupling state of the primary and secondary coupling means.

Advantageously, the secondary coupling means (in particular the cover element) has an actuating member, wherein the actuating member is designed to interact with an actuator of the primary coupling means, wherein due to this interaction the cover element can be moved from the cover position to the exposed position. In other words, this may mean that the actuating member is intended to interact with an actuator of the primary coupling means, in particular by direct contact, such that the movement of the covering element from the covering position to the uncovering position is effected by the approach of the secondary coupling means with respect to the primary coupling means. In this case, the actuating member itself may be part of the cover element or may be mechanically connected to the cover element. For example, the actuator may be attached laterally to the cover element.

In this case, the actuating element advantageously has an engagement cavity for the actuator. In other words, this means that the actuating member can be designed as a female interaction element, while the actuator can be designed as a corresponding male interaction element.

Conveniently, the cover element of the secondary coupling is and/or includes a flap. A particularly simple and lightweight covering element can thus be realized. In this case, the flap is in particular an element which is mounted rotatably about a rotational axis and by means of the rotational movement of which the flap can be moved from the covering position into the exposing position. Thus, in other words, the cover element may be a rotary flap. Alternatively or additionally, the cover element can also be designed as a flap which can be moved in translation.

Conveniently, the covering element of the secondary coupling means has a multi-piece design. The cover element can be manufactured at particularly low cost.

Conveniently, the secondary coupling means has a guide pin which projects beyond the covering element in both the covering and the exposed position. In other words, this may mean that the guide pin protrudes beyond the covering element in both the covering position and the exposed position. Thus, a reliable interaction of the guide pin with the guide structure can be ensured even in the covering position. In this case, the guide structure is in particular a part of the main coupling device. Advantageously, the guide pin has an at least partially rotationally symmetrical design, in particular in the direction in which the guide pin projects beyond the covering element.

Advantageously, the secondary coupling device has no drive. Thus, a particularly low-cost and lightweight secondary coupling device can be realized. In particular, there are non-driven secondary coupling devices when the secondary coupling device does not have a drive for moving the plug connector of the secondary coupling device.

Another aspect of the invention may relate to a fifth wheel coupling. The fifth wheel coupling comprises a main coupling as described above and below and a fifth wheel plate, wherein the fifth wheel plate has a semi-trailer surface, wherein the semi-trailer surface has a normal pointing outwards, wherein the plug element and/or the body is advantageously mounted movable, in particular +/-0.5mm, in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, in particular in a direction of the normal of the semi-trailer surface and/or in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and the normal. In this case, the fifth wheel coupling has a main coupling and a fifth wheel plate, wherein the main coupling is connected in particular directly or indirectly to the fifth wheel plate. The semi-trailer surface of the fifth wheel plate is designed such that in the coupled condition the trailer rests on this semi-trailer surface. In other words, the semi-trailer surface may be used to at least partially support the semi-trailer in the coupled condition. Advantageously, in an ideal situation, the outward pointing normal is oriented, in particular, substantially parallel to the vector of the gravitational acceleration. In other words, this may mean that the semi-trailer surface may be horizontally aligned in this normal state. Advantageously, the plug element and/or the body of the main coupling device is mounted movable in a direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction, in particular in an outwardly directed normal direction of the semi-trailer surface and/or in a direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction and the normal. A particularly high degree of adaptability of the plug element and/or the body can thus be achieved. The decisive factor for the movability of the mounting is here the movability of the plug element relative to the main body and/or relative to the fifth wheel plate, or the movability of the main body relative to the fifth wheel plate. In particular, the design of the movability should be such that it can move at least +/-0.5mm. However, alternatively or additionally preferably, the movability should not be greater than 2mm.

Another aspect of the invention may relate to an automatic coupling system comprising a main coupling as described above and/or a fifth wheel coupling as described above. In other words, the automatic coupling system may have the primary and secondary coupling devices and the fifth wheel coupling device as described above. The above-described features and advantages can therefore likewise also be used for the automatic coupling system, in particular for commercial vehicles.

In an advantageous embodiment, the plug element of the primary coupling device and the plug connector of the secondary coupling device are arranged in the automatic coupling system such that the plug element or the plug connector, respectively, can be moved in and/or rotated about three mutually perpendicular spatial directions. In other words, this may mean that in this case the plug element or the plug connector is arranged such that in the sum of the directions of movement of the plug element or the plug-in connection, at least the plug element or the plug connector can be moved in one direction in each case, and the direction of movement is formed by a total of three directions which are perpendicular to one another. For example, the main coupling means can thus be designed such that the plug element can be moved in the X direction and the plug connector can be moved in the Y direction and the Z direction, in each case perpendicular to one another and to the X direction. In addition or alternatively, the displaceability arrangement is preferably suitable not only for a translational movement but also for a rotational movement. Thus, in other words, in the case of a plug element which is rotatable about the X axis, the plug connector can be designed such that it can be rotated about the Y axis and the Z axis, in each case perpendicular to one another and to the X axis. By the ability to mount the plug element and the plug connector in this way, a particularly high degree of flexibility in compensating for movements can be achieved in the event of "imperfect" alignment of the plug element compared to the plug connector.

In this case, pretensioning means (e.g. springs) are advantageously arranged on or interacting with the plug element and/or the plug connector such that the plug element or the plug connector, respectively, is pretensioned by these means so as to be centered in a central position in their possible direction of movement and/or rotation.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will appear from the following description with reference to the drawings. Various features of the illustrated embodiments may also be used in other embodiments, unless explicitly excluded.

Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a primary coupling device and a secondary coupling device;

FIG. 2 shows a parametric view of a primary and secondary coupling;

FIG. 3 shows another view of the primary and secondary coupling devices; and

fig. 4 shows a view of the fifth wheel coupling.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a primary coupling device 1 and a secondary coupling device 2. The primary coupling device 1 has a main body 10 and at least one driver 12, the driver 12 being at least partially surrounded by the main body 10 and being fixed to the main body 10 in the embodiment shown. In this case, the body 10 is designed to be fixed to the fifth wheel coupling and/or to the trailer, which fixing can be done directly or indirectly. The driver 12 is mechanically connected to the cover device 20 by a coupling mechanism 24. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the coupling 24 is formed by a piston rod of the drive 12 and a pretensioning device in the form of a transmission element and a spring 70 and is in contact with the scissor joint 26. The scissor joint 26 has two legs which are connected to each other at one point in a rotatable manner relative to each other, the other end of each leg being rotatably connected to the covering element 22. The cover element 22 is mounted rotatably about the rotation axis Q and the rotation axis R. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover elements 22 form a jaw mechanism with one another. The plug element 14 can project from the jaw mechanism in the plug-in direction V via the driver 12 and the coupling mechanism 24. Fig. 1 shows the cover element 22 in a first position, so that the plug element 14 is exposed in the embodiment or situation shown. In order to transfer the cover elements 22 from the first position (shown) to the second position (not shown), the cover elements 22 have to be moved relative to each other at least partially in the vertical direction H. In both the first position shown and the second position not shown, the actuator 28 projects beyond the cover element 22 in the insertion direction V. The actuator 28 is intended to interact with an actuating member 52 of the secondary coupling means 2 in order to achieve a movement of the covering element 50 in this way. In this case, the covering element 50 is mounted in a manner rotating about the transverse direction Q2, wherein, in the embodiment shown, the plug connector 40 of the secondary coupling means 2 is mounted centrally with respect to the support arm 30 by means of a spring 70. Here, the transverse direction Q2 may be parallel to the rotation axis Q and/or the rotation axis R.

Fig. 2 shows a parametric view of the primary coupling device 1 and the secondary coupling device 2 shortly before coupling. The main coupling 1 has a main body 10 to which drivers 12 and 13 are fixed. The primary coupling device 1 has two cover elements 22, which two cover elements 22 form a jaw mechanism that can be actuated by means of a scissor joint 26. Here, this actuation takes place by: one of the actuators 12, 13 interacts mechanically with the covering device 20 and its scissor joint 26 via a coupling mechanism 24 (not shown).

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of the primary coupling device 1 and the secondary coupling device 2. In principle, this embodiment shown in fig. 3 is similar to the embodiment shown in fig. 1. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the coupling mechanism 24 is formed by a piston rod that mechanically interacts directly with the scissor joint 26. Thus, the coupling mechanism 24 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is of a one-piece design. As can be seen from fig. 3, the covering element 50 of the secondary coupling device 2 is pretensioned by means of the tensioning band 72, so that the tensioning band 72 pretensions the covering element 50 into the covering position. In other words, this may mean that the tension band 72 would transfer the covering element 50 to the covering position if there were no further mechanical obstacle. The actuating member 52 of the secondary coupling means 2 has an engagement cavity and a contact surface designed to come into contact with the actuator 28 of the primary coupling means 1 in order to achieve in this way a movement of the covering element 50 from the covering position to the uncovering position. The secondary coupling device 2 has at least one, preferably a plurality of guide pins 54 which are designed to interact with the guide structure of the primary coupling device 1 in order to achieve in this way an alignment of the primary coupling device 1 relative to the secondary coupling device 2.

Fig. 4 shows a basic embodiment of the fifth wheel coupling 3 and the secondary coupling 2 as well as the primary coupling 1. In other words, the embodiment shown in fig. 4 may represent an automatic coupling system. The fifth wheel coupling 3 comprises a fifth wheel plate 4 having a semi-trailer surface 6. The semi-trailer surface 6 has a normal N pointing outwards. In the embodiment shown, the outwardly pointing normal N is substantially parallel to the vertical direction H. The main coupling 1 is arranged on the fifth wheel coupling 3. The main coupling device 1 has a main body 10 and a plug element 14. The plug element 14 is intended here to be connected to a plug connector 40, so that energy can be exchanged between the primary coupling device 1 and the secondary coupling device 2. In this case, the secondary coupling device 2 is designed such that the plug connector 40 is rotatably mounted about the transverse direction Q2.

List of reference numerals

1 Main coupling device

2-time connecting device

3 fifth wheel coupling device

4 the fifth wheel plate

6 semi-trailer surface

10 main body

12 driver

13 second driver

14 plug element

20 covering device

22 cover element

24 coupling mechanism

26 shear type joint

28 actuator

30 support arm

40 plug connector

50 covering element

52 actuator

54 guide pin

70 spring

72 tension band

H vertical direction

Axis of rotation Q

Q2 transverse direction

R axis of rotation

V direction of insertion

Claims

1. A fifth wheel coupling (3) or a main coupling (1) of a trailer, in particular a semi-trailer,

wherein the main coupling device (1) comprises a main body (10), a driver (12), a coupling mechanism (24), a cover device (20) and a plug element (14),

wherein the body (10) is designed to be fixed to the fifth wheel coupling (3) and/or to the trailer,

wherein the plug element (14) has energy-conducting contacts which point in particular in the plug-in direction (V),

wherein the driver (12) is mechanically connected to the covering device (20) by the coupling mechanism (24),

wherein the covering device (20) has at least one covering element (22),

wherein the cover element (22) is movable between a first position and a second position by the drive (12),

wherein in the first position of the cover element (22) the plug element (14) is exposed,

wherein in the second position of the cover element (22) the plug element (14) is covered.

2. The primary coupling device of claim 1,

wherein the plug element (14) is movable relative to the body (10), in particular in the insertion direction (V), by means of the drive (12).

3. Main coupling according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein the coupling mechanism (24) is movable in the insertion direction (V) by the drive (12).

4. Main coupling according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein the cover element (22) is at least partially movable in a vertical direction (H) from the first position relative to the second position,

wherein the perpendicular direction (H) is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction (V).

5. Primary coupling device according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the covering device (20) has a plurality of covering elements (22), in particular two covering elements (22).

6. Main coupling according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein the covering device (20), in particular the covering element (22) or the covering elements (22), has a seal, in particular a sealing lip.

7. Main coupling according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein the covering device (20) has a displacement device, in particular a spreading device or a scissor joint (26).

8. Primary coupling device according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein at least one cover element (22), preferably all of the cover elements (22), is pretensioned into the first position or the second position by a pretensioning device, in particular a pretensioning belt (72) and/or a spring (70).

9. Main coupling according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein the primary coupling device (1), in particular the plug element (14), has an actuator (28) and/or a guide pin which, in both the first position and the second position, projects beyond at least one covering element (22), preferably beyond all covering elements (22), in the insertion direction (V).

10. Secondary coupling device (2), in particular for coupling to a primary coupling device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9,

wherein the secondary coupling device (2) has a support arm (30), a plug connector (40) and a cover element (50),

wherein the covering element (50) is designed to cover the plug connector (40) in a covering position and to expose the plug connector (40) in an exposed position.

11. Fifth wheel coupling (3) comprising a main coupling (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1-9 and a fifth wheel plate (4),

wherein the fifth wheel plate (4) has a semi-trailer surface (6),

wherein the semi-trailer surface (6) has an outwardly directed normal (N).

12. Fifth wheel coupling (3) according to claim 11,

wherein the fifth wheel plate (4) is provided with an insertion opening,

wherein the inserting opening extends along the inserting direction,

wherein the insertion direction is substantially parallel to the insertion direction (V).

13. Fifth wheel coupling (3) according to claim 11 or 12,

wherein the plug element (14) and/or the body (10) are advantageously mounted such as to be movable, in particular +/-0.5mm, in a direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction (V), in particular in a direction of a normal (N) to the semi-trailer surface (6) and/or in a direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction (V) and the normal (N).

14. An automatic coupling system (4) comprising a primary coupling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9 or a fifth wheel coupling device (3) according to any one of the claims 11 to 13 and a secondary coupling (2) according to claim 10.

15. Automatic coupling system (2) according to claim 14,

wherein the plug element (14) and the plug connector (40) are arranged such that the plug element (14) or the plug connector (40), respectively, can be moved in three directions and/or rotated about the three directions,

wherein the three directions are perpendicular to each other.